In many respects, the Panther tank was viewed as the finest armored fighting vehicle of the Second World War. Based in large part upon the Soviet's highly successful T-34 medium tank, the PzKpfw V Ausfuhrung G was built by several manufacturers including MAN, Daimler-Benz and MNH. Mounting a fearsome 7.5cm KwK42 L/70 cannon and two 7.92mm MG34 machineguns, the Panther Ausf. G represented the third and certainly the most impressive installment in the Panther series.

The weight of the production model was increased to 43 tons from the original plans for a 35 ton tank. Hitler had personally reviewed the final designs and insisted on an increase in the thickness of the frontal armor - the front glacis plate was increased from 60mm to 80mm and the turret front plate was increased from 80mm to 100mm.

Once the problems caused by the vulnerability of the engine and the transmission were solved, it proved to be a very effective fighting vehicle. The crew was made up of five members: driver, radio operator (who also fired the bow machine gun), gunner, loader, and commander.

Dragon has produced several 1/35 scale plastic model kits featuring armored vehicles from the very popular Black Knight comic series in Japan. Now Dragon Armor is getting in on the act with an exciting array of 1/72 scale collectible items from the same Black Knight comics. The very first item is a Panther Ausf.G Early Production tank. Utilizing molds from previous 1/72 scale renditions of this famous German tank, the assembled model has been painted in an appropriate camouflage scheme just like the one that appears in the comic books.

This model represents a Panther belonging to the Black Knight commander fighting in the Eastern Front in the autumn of 1944. The tank carries the distinctive unit tactical markings of the combat-hardened Black Knight unit. Another special feature of this finely detailed miniature is the dioramic card background fitted inside the display box. The colored scenic backdrop was designed and illustrated by none other than the comic artist Motofumi Kobayashi, which is destined to make this inaugural item an extremely valued item amongst armored vehicle collectors and innumerable Black Knight fans. Sold Out!

Historical Account: "The Black Knight" - Oblt. Ernst von Bauer" German Tank Commander Character from Comic book "Die Erzahlung des Schwarzen Ritters" by Motofumi Kobayashi. "Die Erzahlung des Schwarzen Ritters" is a widely acclaimed comic book series and considered the best work of renowned comic artist Motofumi Kobayashi. The story revolves around the fictional main character Oblt. Ernst von Bauer, who led the Wehrmacht 8.Panzer Kompanie in the Eastern Front during the Fall of 1943.

Inheriting the nickname the "Black Knight" from his ancestors, he excelled on many battlefields as a commander of the tank division and gained much acclaim from others not only because of his courage and level-headedness, but also for his fellow troops. Ever since he lost his right eye on the field of battle, the fighting spirit associated with his "Black Knight" moniker returned, and he vows to face his enemies which felled his comrades.